On a cold Friday evening, a warm presentation took place at Tachyon Motorsport in Eemnes. Owner Maarten Buitenhuis shared his exciting plan with over two hundred guests, showcasing his unique motorcycle with which he will compete in the Africa Eco Race.
The bike in question is an electric Artic Leopard Cheetah E-XE880, which was ridden last year by Frenchman Willy Jobard as part of the Dakar Mission 1000 project. Jobard, a veteran with experience in seventeen Dakar rallies, was also present to talk about the 108 kg motorcycle. With 51 horsepower and 880 Nm of torque, the rally-raid bike is well-suited to tackle extreme conditions, covering distances of 100 to 120 kilometers on rough terrain.
While Buitenhuis is a self-proclaimed petrolhead, his enthusiasm for electric technology is undeniable. The development of electric vehicles is advancing at an astonishing pace, and he is eager to explore the potential of this emerging field.
The Africa Eco Race is all about passion and adventure, and this perfectly aligns with the spirit of Buitenhuis, who has a deep love for the desert and would even prefer to go without a tent on his journey. RallyTracks is proud to be a media partner for the rally, capturing Buitenhuis’ experiences through words and images as he embarks on this extraordinary challenge.

